My parents have lived in their house for 43 years. They raised six kids there and have entertained a bunch of grandchildren. Their plan, not that they actually have one, is to live there for the rest of their days. These days, it's a lot of space for two people. It has a full-size basement. They have a two-car garage that hasn't actually housed a car since I can remember. You see, they've never been the kind of folks to part with things easily. In fact, my Dad is a certified pack rat. So, all of this space is filled to the brim with stuff!
It's probably always been this way, but I'm seeing it with fresh eyes. Having purged most of our household possessions, I've discovered I have a bit of an aversion to stuff. When I find myself in a house filled with it, I get uncomfortable. I start to sweat. I grow edgy. I want to start tossing things.
It's not pretty.
The house I grew up in gives me the willies! Of course, I love being there. But, really, the place has so much stuff!!! While my parents are in a state of denial about doing something about this, the reality is that it will have to be dealt with. Sooner or later.
Turns out two of my sisters have been on a campaign to get my Mom on board with thinning out some of their stuff. Today was deemed the day that they were going to tackle the basement. When they invited me to join in on the fun, I looked my Mom straight in the eye and explained that when it comes to throwing stuff out, I'm very, very good! Knowing she would be working with a semi-pro tosser probably made her a bit nervous. It made my sisters feel much better!
It took us about half the day to make a sizeable dent in the basement. We took a completely overwhelming project and knocked it down to a gigantic one. There's still lots to do, but at least we made progress. That's something.
During today's work as a whirling dervish, one thing kept going through my mind. I am so glad we have hardly any stuff! To be free of it is such a blessing.
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7 comments:
oh to be free of possesions..and I just bought two new carpets today..dang it..but they can come with us when we go if they are still in good shape!!..toss away you whirling dervish!!..I know who to call when it is our turn!!
Progress is progress!
MIke & Gerri (happytrails)
I know where you are coming from! We just spent the last few weeks downsizing my MIL's stuff so she can move into assisted living...I couldn't believe the amount of STUFF she had. I think she saved everything she ever bought and every plastic bag it came in!
I am so glad that we won't be leaving a job like that for our kids to do.
It really is quite liberating to be free of all that STUFF.
I am surprised they let you even start. after collecting so long, it is hard to let go-I guess. We dumped a lifetime of stuff without ever looking back.
Perhaps they have seen those hoarding shows and want to avoid being an episode. :)
Good luck!
Wow.. how great they let you tackle that much of it!
We just came home after two weeks in the motorhome where it's comfortable and organized... and saw all the *stuff* we have to get rid of in the next 2 years! Wheee
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Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
Wow.. how great they let you tackle that much of it!
We just came home after two weeks in the motorhome where it's comfortable and organized... and saw all the *stuff* we have to get rid of in the next 2 years! Wheee
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Karen and Steve
(Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/
I totally agree with you about going into a house packed with "stuff" and getting the willies! To let all that go was so incredibly freeing and occasionally I look around the rig and think "hmmm, I'm starting to get clutter here" and I do a mini-purge. It feels great!
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